Non-conventional energy, also called renewable energy, includes new sources of energy which are different from conventional sources of energy and have not yet been fully exploited.
The spectrum of non-conventional energy sources covers solar energy, wind energy, biomass, hydro power, hydrogen on the one side and the new techniques, such as, fuel cells, electric vehicles, ocean energy, geo-there- mal energy etc., on the other side.
These sources besides being renewable are also non-polluting and environment friendly. According to an estimate India has a non-conventional energy potential of 1, 95,000 mw. Of this total potential, 31 per cent is provided by solar energy, 30 per cent by ocean geo-thermal energy, and 26 per cent by bio-mass and per cent by wind energy. Even if only one-foul this potential is exploited it will save about million tones of petroleum per year valued at 2,770 crores.
As a result of sustained efforts of our tests, engineers, technologists, India now has good research and development base for their orpiment of technologies for harnessing non-commotional renewable energy sources. The country presently among the world’s largest programmes renewable energy. During last over 16 years seven renewable energy technologies have been de open and deployed in villages and cities. T: 16.XXII presents some developed potential of conventional energy.
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India: Renewable Energy Potential and Achievements energy. The promotional and financial aspects are looked after by the Indian Energy Development Agency (IREDA). At present the installed capacity of grid quality power generation through renewable energy sources has reached 1,300 M W, which represents a little over one per cent of total installed power capacity in the country. The Ninth Plan aims at the addition of 3,000 MW based on renewable. If renewable are to make some tangible impact, the installed capacity should be enhanced to 15,000 MW by 2010 AD which needs careful scientific planning.